Bee Loved

Bee Loved 

Something quite concerning and peculiar happened during the last two summers. Three carpenter bees, each in need of help, appeared on our deck.  The first visitor seemed disoriented with labored movements and made no attempts to fly away.  I gave her sugar water and after a few hours, I moved her to a vented container with wildflowers for an evening indoors.  I mistakenly identified her as a bumblebee and nicknamed her Bumbee.  The next morning, she was buzzing around with lots of vigor, so I placed her in the yard, and she successfully took flight!  All she needed was a snack and some quiet time. 

The following summer, another carpenter bee, affectionately called Bumbee II, stumbled on our patio but quickly rebounded with a few sips of sugar water.  Then, on September 1, 2024, we were graced by a third carpenter bee, named Bumbee III, of course.  This little bee was incredibly special in many ways.  Straightaway, I could tell something was amiss as his proboscis (tongue) was protruding and failing to retract inward as it should.  Unfortunately, a stuck proboscis is due to pesticide poisoning and recovery is unlikely. 

It is important to note that our entire property has been chemical-free (no pesticides, herbicides, or suchlike) for the last decade.  The previous owners also refrained from using chemicals.

It was upsetting to see this cute, chunky bee with a fatal symptom, and it was equally disturbing to know that nearby properties might be using chemicals on or near flowers.  Immediately, I prepared Bumbee III a serving of sugar water as he rested in my hand.  While his proboscis wasn’t retracting, his other mouth parts were moving and it appeared that he was, in some manner, drinking the sugar water.  He seemed to enjoy it as his antennae were actively scanning and sweeping.  I gathered a bunch of flowers and placed them in a large glass bowl to serve as a temporary home for my little visitor.  Bumbee III was able to flutter his wings, however he wasn’t able to take flight.  The next day, he was climbing and weaving through the floral bough. 

I continued to serve him droplets of sugar water and refreshed his bowl with new flowers.  At first, I presented the sugar water in a tiny scooper while Bumbee III sat on his flowers.  As the days progressed, he seemed to prefer to rest in my hand while I gave him tiny droplets of sugar water via pipette.  Whenever I approached the bowl, his activity heightened in relentless pursuit of my hand.  As soon as I placed my hand in his bowl, he jumped right on!  Often, he would run straight up my arm in a spirited race to simply perch on my shoulder.  Since he was unable to fly, I walked him around the garden each day to help him visit flowers for pollen and to bask in the sun. 

As the weeks progressed, I upgraded Bumbee III’s space from a large glass bowl to clear shallow tote.  This expanded space included stemmed flowers, more room to roam, and a piece of wood with a tunnel [i] for him to burrow.  Throughout the day, I carried his tote wherever best for him- in the sun or garden- however, he mostly wanted to sit in my hand.  Tending to this lovely carpenter bee was an absolute pleasure and an honor each day.  I looked forward to finding new ways to support his recovery and longevity.  I was prepared to care for him as long as needed.   

I quickly learned Bumbee III’s quirks, preferences, and moods.  For example, he had a distinctive march.  He was a very delicate carpenter bee, yet his gait appeared rather authoritative, as if reporting to a time-sensitive, super-secret mission.  Bumbee III was an exceptionally clean creature whereas he groomed his abdomen, legs, and antennae after bouncing around flowers and upon finishing his meals.  Also, he favored certain flowers such as daisies, sunflowers, dandelions, floss flowers, anemones, and bundles of baby's breath.  Despite their beauty, he definitely disliked dahlias.  He preferred watermelon to other melon varieties, and in return for his melon bites, he helped pollinate the flowers in my garden by transferring pollen from the male anthers to the female stigmas during his visits.

During our first month together, I had the opportunity to closely observe and learn from this beautiful, adorable bee.  Bumbee III taught me a great deal about his species, with plenty of laughs, worries, and tears along the way.  He seemed to demonstrate different reactions by means of his head and antennae positions.  His antennae in an upright (V-shaped) position seemed to appear as excitement and interest as this was their position when he was visiting the garden or having a drink.  Antennae in a downward position seemed to indicate contentment and relaxation as this was their position while he was resting or sleeping.  Antennae in a flat, linear position seemed to demonstrate investigation and concern as this was their position when I placed a pipette or my camera too close to him.  He also demonstrated many head tilts, appearing as curiosity and moments of repose.  When he rested or slept, he often placed his foreleg underneath his head, as if using his leg as a bolster.

A few more interesting observations:

· He preferred warmer temperatures, between 70-80 degrees, and moderate sunlight.  If the sunlight was too strong, he took cover under his flower bed signaling to me that it was time for shade.

· He had bouts of dynamic energy with robust wiggles coupled with deep sleep sessions.

· He certainly recognized me- whether by scent, sight, or sound- as he reacted with either wagging antennae or raised forelegs each time I approached him.

One of the funniest observations I witnessed was Bumbee III relieving himself.  He had an interesting process: he would walk backward several paces, excrete his waste, and then move away.  Over the many hours he spent on my hand, I observed this behavior consistently.  I’ve spotted other bees take “cleansing flights” (excrete while in flight), but since Bumbee III wasn’t able to take a cleansing flight, perhaps walking backward and away from his excretion was an attempt to keep his environment- my hand- clean.  Such a clever, adaptable, and intriguing soul! 

As autumn’s cold and damp weather crept, our time outside began to wean.  To ensure Bumbee III’s sunlight exposure, I sat with him next to windows so that he could feel the sun's warmth radiating from the glass.  He sat in my hand, on my arm, or next to me in his tote full of flowers.  Each evening, he sat on my hand while watching a bit of TV, reading, or writing.  He slept in his tote, either atop a flower or tucked in his wooden tunnel.

Once October arrived, flowers in my garden were scarce and I began to worry about Bumbee III’s diet.  Thankfully, there were a few mighty and glorious dandelions standing their ground.  Perhaps by default, they became Bumbee III’s favorite.  Fortunately, kind neighbors and Ethos Farm (a local, regenerative organic farm) provided a bounty of early fall flowers for him to enjoy.  Still, I knew their gardens would, too, become dormant as the first frost was looming.  While cut flowers sold at floral shops are plentiful and available year-round, they are treated with preservatives, pesticides, fungicides, biocides, and/or dyes.  Due to such toxicity, floral shop flowers [ii] were not an option.  Luckily, my sister suggested feeding Bumbee III a pollen substitute.  I found a product called Bee-Pro; although formulated for honey bees, it was a suitable and safe option for his survival.  Throughout the month, I provided him with sugar water, pollen substitute, and pieces of watermelon.  Also, I had two indoor plants- chamomile and basil- that still had a few blooms for natural pollen.  In preparation for the winter, I planted seeds in indoor pots so that he would have new flowers to enjoy.  I loved him so much and wanted him to have the best life possible. 

Toward the end of October, Bumbee III’s energy level and appetite began to decrease.  He took longer naps, seemed less interested in exploring his tote, and had fewer meals.  Despite his reduced energy, he still reached out for me and preferred to nestle in my cupped hand.  Apiarists on bee forums said to expect less activity with changing seasons.  I hoped this was the reason for his lethargy; however, I knew he was battling an ailment which may abbreviate his time.  There were many late nights watching and holding Bumbee III.  He was loved and his life mattered.  

In the evening of October 26th, he was robustly wriggling in my hand.  At first, I was delighted to see his returned spirit, then I realized that his movements were spasmodic.  His legs seemed unsteady as he struggled to stay upright.  I cupped my hand closer to keep him from flopping on his wings.  This seemed to relax him a bit and he was able to get some rest.  The next morning, he wasn’t interested in eating and seemed even more lethargic than before.  I kept Bumbee III cupped in my hand, with a flower blossom underneath him.  He sat in my hand for the entire day, with his head resting on my bent finger.  I watched him closely and appreciated each time he stretched a leg, adjusted a wing, or waved an antenna.  My dear readers, I felt his last movement- a leg stretch- and then, he was gone. 

We spent eight lovely weeks together with pure joy, love, and honor each day.  The experience was both unique and profound, highlighted by his acceptance of my care and his astonishing ability to adapt.  I sincerely cherished every moment.  Beloved Bumbee III taught me all about his special species while he fought through whatever poisoned him.  He was a strong, precious, beautiful bee.

Endnotes:

I am extremely grateful for public forums and blogs hosted by apiarists as they provided applicable information for Bumbee III’s care.  Conversely, the prominent websites made available after searching keywords such as “carpenter bees- care and health” generated content on how to trap and kill carpenter bees.  It was gravely upsetting to find numerous misleading websites- often promoted by toxic companies- portraying carpenter bees as destructive pests that ruin wooden structures. 

Carpenter bees are extraordinary creatures and essential pollinators.  They foster a healthy ecosystem, contribute to plant reproduction, and work tirelessly to secure their species.  While they burrow in wood, their tunnels are quite small- approximately ½ inch wide and 5 inches long.  Hardly destructive!  A tiny tunnel is such a meager offering for remarkable pollinators that ensure our food supply.  What’s more, a female carpenter bee will often reuse an established tunnel for new nests.  Lastly, they are not aggressive.  Male carpenter bees do not have stingers, and the females will only use their stingers in defense if they are provoked or when their nests are threatened. 

The above experience was completely unexpected.  I am not an apiarist, nor an entomologist, and I do not recommend touching any bee species unless you are trained.  Bumbee III chose to rest in my hand and on my arm; I did not prompt him to do so.  While I passionately believe we must care for all sentient beings in need, I do not encourage the captivity of healthy wildlife. 

Should you encounter a bee in flight and feel uncomfortable, remain calm and remove yourself from the environment.  Refrain from swatting or flailing your arms as this may seem threating to the bee.  For more information, visit The Bee Conservancy.  

[i] My boyfriend bore a tunnel in a piece of untreated wood for Bumbee III to rest in the most natural environment we could offer.  Note: Only female carpenter bees bore tunnels for nesting.  Males visit, patrol, and protect nests.

[ii]  Sadly, such harmful chemicals caused Bumbee III’s condition.  It's vexing to know that the global floral market, valued at $32 billion, uses many toxins, contributes to a high carbon footprint, causes land degradation, and increases waste pollution.